Quarter of European bumblebees face extinction

Almost a quarter of Europe’s bumblebee species are threatened with extinction, including some that are essential to European agriculture, a new study has found.

Researchers from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) examined all of the 68 bumblebee species that live in Europe, finding 16 are at risk.

They also found that 46% of European bumblebee species have a declining population, while 29% are stable and only 13% are increasing.

“We are very concerned with these findings. Such a high proportion of threatened bumblebees can have serious implications for our food production,” says Ana Nieto, coordinator of the study and European Biodiversity Officer of IUCN.

The IUCN warns that out of the five most important pollinators of European crops, three are bumblebee species. Together with other pollinators, it is estimated that bumblebees contribute more than €22 billion (£18bn) to European agriculture every year.

It is thought that climate change, pesticides, the intensification of agriculture and changes in land use are the main threats to the species.